My son is 2.5, and on the whole always has been a pretty good sleeper. We've (mostly) overcome some nap issues that have been a work-in-progress over the past 5 months. However, for the past week he's been waking an hour+ earlier than normal and has been crying and screaming for us. He's a kid that almost always babbles/sings/talk to himself/plays with his stuffed animals when he wakes, so this is new (and jarring). I think he did have an actual nightmare the first day, and we've talked about it a ton (he's brought it up) to reassure him. The first few days we were so shocked we went in to try and settle him, and then when I realized it wasn't working we stopped so we wouldn't set up a habit where he expects us to run in at the drop of a hat. We've talked about what to do when he wakes (he's pretty verbal and can even tell you he needs to play with his toys, close his eyes and try and sleep again, etc.), but in the moment he forgets (totally understandable) and it's been awful. Am I missing something? We're all walking around like zombies and he's acting out more than usual because he's exhausted. Is it a phase that will pass? Has anyone else's kid gone through this?
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Ok to wake clock. We got one when my son was around 19 months and started waking up at 5am. It took about 2 weeks but now if he wakes up before his light is on, he lays back down and tries to go back to sleep. Game changer. I bet your son will catch on quicker since he's a bit older!
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Ugh my 2.5 started this a few weeks ago! Except also at least 1x middle of night. Used to self soothe pretty well, now screams bloody murder and it's awful. If we lay down in his room he goes right back to sleep but I know we're creating a horrible habit. Following for advice!
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OMG this just happened last night w/ my 2.5 year old. We moved less than a week ago, and he started day camp which runs later than he's used to, so he's been missing his nap window and just laying there overtired, so I think that's all part of it.
But this am at 5:45 he was SCREAMING and crying which he NEVER does anymore. AND he was still so tired. So was I, so I let him watch the ipad in our bed, I really hope I didn't create a monster.
Good luck to us all! -
We had this happen and had to do a few things:
(1) Start really emphasizing his OK to Wake clock and using an M&M for a reward (don't judge - I was pregnant and tired)
(2) Push bedtime back 30 minutes - we finally started to see an impact of if he went to bed a little later sleeping in some
(3) Have a "hard" stop for nap at 3:30 PM.
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@Portboston: I ordered and am not-so-patiently waiting for the Ooly clock. Sigh. I have high hopes the visual will help. The clock was supposed to arrive a month ago and still isn't here, but really hope it gets here soon! So glad to hear it helped your kid.
@bhbee: Sorry you're in the same boat
. I am trying to stick to my guns and not go in there because he's always been a kid that can't handle us leaving if we go in.
@lioneyes: I'm sorry you're there, too! I have a feeling my husband will start resorting to this soon if we don't fix it. Ugh.
@LBee: Zero judgement. He gets an M&M for poops on the potty so I have zero issue giving him the same thing as a reward. I just wonder if he's old enough to understand the delayed satisfaction of "if you sleep all night you get X?" I'm a little nervous to move bedtime or nap since he's already overtired (and with our nap issues he typically isn't asleep until close to 2:15), but you're probably right. Thanks. So glad your son is getting better with this! -
@ChiCalGoBee: We ordered an ooly too! I hope it will help. My DD takes ages to fall asleep but haven't had the wake up issues yet....
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@ChiCalGoBee: You aren't going to like this, but I would say that's probably your problem. How late is he sleeping in the day? We've never had problems with the delayed gratification (we started when DS was that age) so I wouldn't worry about that. We just drilled it into him... except he started yelling every morning, "My clock is green!!! I need my M&M!!!"
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@LBee: so this will likely sound insane but after battling nap issues on and off since January (ugh), I finally came to realize that it's me. Rather, my child will easily settle for nap for anyone but me and will sleep 2-2.5 hours for anyone else. For me it's very hit or miss. I never let him go past 3:45 (even if someone else puts him down) but sometimes he either doesn't nap (if I'm home 🙄) or falls asleep around 2. He's an absolute bear without a nap and it does not make him fall asleep earlier OR sleep in at all if he skips it. The worst.
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@ChiCalGoBee: Kids are jerks sometimes. Is he in a crib? If so, just ignore the early wake-ups. It sucks to hear the crying etc, but I would just say over the monitor (if you have that kind), "It's still nighttime, we are sleeping, we will come get you when your clock is green." Then when the clock turns green you come in, make a big fuss, and give him an M&M. It sucks when they are older to do this, but I've found that they are 100000x more manipulative at this age (as demonstrated by his no nap behavior).
Also, the Ooly is adorable, but I would just go to Target after work and pick up an Ok to Wake clock for $18, especially since you don't know when the Ooly is coming. I'm sure you could resell it locally or just chalk it up to more money thrown at trying to get your kid to sleep.
Also, is there anything your son really wants? I know a lot of people have had great success with sticker charts.
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@LBee: You (and @Portboston:) were spot on. The "Okay to Wake" from Target seems to be (fingers crossed) doing its job. That plus an M&M reward and things are turning around. I'm also a big fan of sticker charts (I'm a former kindergarten teacher and would often suggest them to parents), but didn't think he was quite old enough yet to get the concept. It's worth a shot, though! Thanks for pushing me to pull the trigger on the clock-I am VERY grateful!!!
. I am trying to stick to my guns and not go in there because he's always been a kid that can't handle us leaving if we go in.
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